Jaw Pain
JAW JOINT or Temporo Mandibular Joint consists of part of lower jaw and the skull base.
TMJ complex is made up of living bone, ligaments and muscles which are capable of repair, adaptation and healing.
If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the mandibular condyle moving in the joint. These are complex joints that are capable of both hinging and sliding movements. In addition, there is a meniscus (cartilage disc) that lies between the two bones and is meant to move with the condyle of the mandible. The bones and the meniscus are covered with fibrocartilage, is not meant to bear weight or to withstand compressive forces.
✓ Pain in front of the ear (during chewing ,opening and closing)
✓ Clicking , popping noises in the joints
✓ Jaw locking (closing or opening mouth)
✓ Pain or fatigue in the chewing muscles
✓ Headaches
✓ Earaches
✓ Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
✓ Changes in occlusion (teeth not resting correctly)
Temporo mandibular joint disorder is a musculoskeletal disorder as opposed to a dental disorder and the teeth have little to do with it. Your treatment plan and care will be customized and tailored to your specific needs and diagnosis.
For patients with acute injuries, resting the joint and performing simple, conservative treatment will resolve the problem in a short period of time. Patients with chronic problem requires more advanced treatment modalities.